Splash Math

Dive under the sea with this colorful, comprehensive math practice app. Structured like a traditional workbook, its interactive features offer little learners the chance to swipe and tap their way through basic math problems. A wide range of first grade concepts are covered, including place value, addition, subtraction, money math, telling time, simple geometry and word problems.

iDiary for Kids

An interactive diary, journal and scrapbook all in one, this app is flexible enough for younger children but engaging enough to keep the interest of older kids. Formatted like a standard diary, kids can write a new entry every day, with the option of adding in drawings, stickers and photos to give their journal entries that personal touch. Help kids change the fonts, switch up the color scheme, and do a doodle with a crayon, marker or pencil. They can even add a photo to remember a special event that day, and type in a personalized caption. This app has everything a young writer needs to keep an artistic and creative e-journal. Perfect for little artists and writers young and old, this app encourages self-reflection, imagination and daily writing practice.

Lola’s Math Train

Lola’s Math Train combines a mix of elementary equations—including addition and subtraction—and puzzles, perfectly suited for the first-grade age group. While the full app contains nineteen different math activities, even the lite version we reviewed has plenty of variety, with nine included math tasks to try. Count images and select the number represented, complete number puzzles, identify patterns and order objects from smallest to largest as kids drive the train to the station to pick up passengers. Animated animals are cute, colorful, and offer a surprise element; you never know who’ll be waiting at the station.

Math Ahoy!

Using a world map you captain a pirate ship, traveling the world collecting treasure being careful to avoid being arrested by the King’s fleet. The wind speed and the numbers on the captain’s wheel are used to control the movement of the ship on the map. Basic addition and subtraction skills are used.

Yes, math is the main focus of the app; however, kids will get a great introduction to world geography as they move between the different cities located on various continents.

Visual Math Word Problems

Visual Math Word Problems is intended for children in first and second grade who either are learning or need help improving their ability to solve word problems.
Features include:

• Write on the screen or use provided objects to assist in solving problems
• Step-by-step guidance for incorrect answers
• Basic progress tracking

Six worksheets and one quiz are available to practice solving word problems using different approaches.
Progress is displayed for each problem and an overall score on each quiz and worksheet. The visual techniques used in the worksheets and quizzes will aide users in solving the problems. These techniques include things such as the ability to write on the screen, circling a group of objects, crossing objects off as you count or writing their answer on the screen. Another technique is being able to place objects such as cars or air planes on the screen to solve the problem. There is no time limit in solving the problem and no limit on how much writing or placing of objects so kids could become distracted and may need adult supervision to keep them on track. If the user answers incorrectly on a worksheet step-by-step guidance is given in solving the problem correctly.

Just Saving My Money

Just Saving My Money is another great Little Critter story by Oceanhouse Media that teaches children about earning and saving their money for a specific purchase. With great sound effects, text highlighting, and narration options, this digital storybook app not only teaches children about saving, but allows them to work on their reading skills as well.
Features include:

• Text highlighting
• Narration options
• Voice record
• In-app game

Tic Toc Time: Break down the day to learn how to tell time

While using Tic Toc Time your child will learn the basics of telling time by using a unique teaching approach which includes the use of a compass, sun dial and other fun activities.
Features include:

• Educational activities
• Positive learning environment
• Ability to customize some settings

Each of the activities included has an educational purpose. Activities range from learning about a compass, sun dial, shadows, to the basic concepts of a clock for telling time. The information is presented in an entertaining and positive environment hosted by a family of beavers from Canada. Tic Toc Time presents the material in an entertaining way that will keep the kids interest. Rewards are offered at the completion of each activity.

Touch and Write Phonics

Touch and Write Phonics offers hands-on writing practice for beginning readers to build skills with vowels, blends and digraphs. Each skill includes a teaching sequence, then practice followed by an interactive reward screen. The app displays the target word with optional tracing guidelines, and players use their finger to trace each letter, leaving a trail of some unusual writing media (like shaving cream or jello). After each letter is traced, the app clearly gives the sound of the letter, blend or digraph, and repeats the word at the end of the activity. Parents and teachers can see records of the child’s efforts, assign practice on troublesome letter sounds, and create individualized or thematic word lists from built-in words.
Features include:

• Unique papers and textures with sound effects for writing
• Target phonics sounds, blends and digraphs presented in initial, medial and final positions
• Special attention to silent e
• Adjustable reward time in the Prize Room
• Individualized reports in the app or emailed
• Option to organize new word lists from built-in word selections
• Multiple user accounts
• Records of student performance available within the app and can be exported via email

Write About This

Write About This offers hundreds of motivating and interesting writing prompts as well as systems to create new prompts, add other content, write and share writing, record and work collaboratively. It is a highly useful and flexible tool for home or classroom to encourage children to write.
Features include:

• 125 pictures with 3 levels of prompts for each (full version)
• Free and paid versions available
• Record and save narration
• Search pictures and prompts
• Save and share student writing
• Allow collaboration among students
• Publish to PDF
• Optional voiced prompts
• Use your own content
• Modify existing content
• Optional built-in spell check

Addimal Adventure

Addimal Adventure uses a variety of concrete models and cues to teach students different strategies to solve basic addition facts. Each type of strategy is paired with a character, as well, and woven into an adventure story. The strategies increase in complexity, finally encouraging the ultimate goal of memorization of addition facts.
Features include:

• Teaches single-digit addition
• Teaches a variety of strategies
• Strategies taught in order of complexity
• Entertaining and motivating storyline
• Solid scaffolding
• Encourages memorization
• Useful for Response to Intervention for older students

Recycle Hero

Recycle Hero is a fun and interactive app that teaches children of all ages about recycling and saving our planet through 6 exciting games. Each game has 6 levels that allow players to be a part of the Yogome Squad to fight Evil Queen Ignorantia as she tries to pollute the planet. The object of each game is to clean up and organize trash into the appropriate containers for recycling to gain points that allow players to buy special powers and avatars to use in new levels. This app is more than an entertaining game for children, but is also an opportunity for children to learn about saving our planet.
Features include:

• 6 Interactive games
• 36 Levels to explore
• Choice of 10 Yogotars
• Customizable avatars

Blue Ocean Bob

Blue Ocean Bob is a beautifully illustrated book app that teaches the importance of setting goals and how to achieve them. Also, included in the app are numerous puzzles and a match game.
Features include:

• Three reading options
• Puzzles and a match game
• Text highlighting

Blue Ocean Bob is divided into five chapters. Five chapters may sound like a lot of text to read, but it really isn’t. There is a small amount of easy to read text per page. Text highlighting, in the Read to Me option, moves along nicely with the narration. Narration can be repeated as desired. Readers can touch specific words that appear in a different color to hear their definition. The text highlighting, narration speed and vocabulary features are fantastic book app features for beginning readers. Discussion questions would be a great addition to this book app providing parents and teachers an additional method for continuing the discussion or reinforcing what the children read. Puzzles are available every couple of pages or so throughout two of the reading options.

Jumbled Sentences 3

Jumbled Sentences 3 is a fun way for children to learn and practice proper sentence structure in a game-like environment. Each timed level offers various words that create sentences to describe a given image. Once the sentence is unscrambled correctly, children receive a set amount of points and coins they can use in buy stickers for their sticker collection at the end of the level.
Features include:

• 3 Timed levels increasing in difficulty
• Sticker collection
• Hint feature
• Easy-to-use interface

Learning correct sentence structure can prove to be challenging for some children, but using Jumbled Sentences 3 offers a fun, new way of learning. In this app each word for a given sentence is located in flying saucers that spin around a central picture. Children must drag and drop the correct words in the appropriate spaces to create a sentence that fits with the picture provided. A “hint” button is provided to give children a little nudge by placing one word in the correct place for them. Once the puzzle is complete, children touch the “OK” button and move on to the next puzzle. In the event the sentence is not correct, the words move back to the flying saucers and they must begin again.

StoryBook Maker

Storybook Maker is an intuitive iPad app that kids will return to over and over again to create books. The app is loaded with features and content and reasonably priced. It is ideal for home or school use.

Features include:

• Easy to use interface
• High quality design objects
• Ability to add music and audio to books
• Ability to share books
• View books created by others

Oh my, the educational possibilities are endless. The app could be used for all sorts of writing assignments such as book reports, journaling and creative writing. It is an ideal method for encouraging reluctant writers; those who may get writer’s block when given a sheet of paper.

Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 Syllables

The main focus of Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 Syllables is on syllables and how they affect the way we read, speak and spell. Recommended for children ages 6 and older, this universal app offers a relaxing way for children to learn over 650 high frequency words.
The 650 plus words are broken down into 54 lists, categorized by spelling patterns and difficulty levels; such as words that begin with wh, wr or compound words to name a few. Each lesson builds on the skills learned in previous lessons; skills such as syllables, sounds, spelling rules and more. During the lesson each word is spoken, used in a sentence and then spoken again. The user can repeat the narration as many times as needed, repeat just the word or use the hint button for extra help.

Sliding Sam

Sliding Sam is like a combination between games like Angry Birds and Cut The Rope, and drawing games like, Line Rider and Go Car Go. Like those apps, this app will appeal to different ages from preschool to adult. The goal of the game, apart from fun, is to draw lines to get the penguin Sam, to his sweetheart. Without realizing it, kids can learn physics concepts such as velocity, speed, acceleration, deceleration, momentum, and force.

Cosmographia

Cosmographia is a fantastic space exploration app that is simply delightful to use and is brimming with breath-taking visuals and engaging informational material. Immerse yourself in the most realistic and beautiful Solar System simulation available for the iPad.
The app pinpoints the sun, planets, constellations, moons, dwarf planets, asteroids, and spacecraft. The user can double tap on a destination and zoom to that point, then have a leisurely look around. The app contains a wealth of information about the objects presented, and each destination has several “views” the user can choose from. The views might be certain angles or aspects of the object, a visual of a flight path or event, or some other interactive experience. The app also contains a clock, which can be moved backward or forward to view events that have occurred in the past or will in the future.


Gravity Force
Looking for a cool way to drive a lesson about gravity home with your family? The new Gravity Force iPhone app may be just what the doctor ordered. This app includes three unique scenes each featuring a different type of gravity: Earth, Moon and Jupiter. Each scene contains the same 12 levels, so comparing the effects side by side is super easy. The gameplay in Gravity Force combines two classic game styles, one where you are trying to get a ball in a slot and another that pits young users against puzzles with moving pieces, gaping holes and more. The results are really fun.

Stack the States

The app does a great job bringing the 50 states alive in a unique way by turning them into cute and adorable characters that you can play with while learning all sorts of United States geography facts. Add beautiful backgrounds; such as Mount Rushmore or the Golden Gate Bridge; fun music and you have a huge hit in your hands. This game also includes four mini games; Stack the States, Pile Up, Puzzler and Capital Drop. Stack the States is the main game used to earn states, which then unlock the bonus games.

Stack the States – The user builds a stack of states by answering questions about the 50 states. Sounds simple, right!? Well, there’s a little more to it, making the game even more fun and challenging. You are rewarded the state for which you answered the question correctly, you need to stack that state on top of the others and so on until your stack reaches the checkered line WITHOUT it tipping over. States can be rotated to help in the creative stacking that needs to happen.

Pile Up – Quickly tap the correct state to remove it from the pile. You want to remove all of the states from the pile before they reach the checkered line. Three levels of difficulty are available; easy, medium and hard.

Puzzler – Is similar to a jigsaw puzzle. The user is given states to drag together as you would jigsaw puzzle pieces. This game is timed and has three levels of difficulty; the number of states depends on the level chosen.

Capital Drop – As the states and capitals move along on a zigzag conveyor belt, match as many states and capitals as you can before a state falls off the end. Three levels of difficulty are available in this game also.

Murky Reef : 1st – 2nd Grade Reading, Science & Math

Murky Reef is an impressive iPad app designed to teach 6-8 year olds reading, math and science using various multi-media features. Through interactive play on a coral reef children will learn by using games, videos and more.
The app requires the user to read, comprehend, analyze, apply and solve problems all while playing games. All 22 games are unlocked and ready to play. You can choose to play any game and the same game can be played multiple times; with different content each time. The ability to choose a game allows parents or teachers to work on specific goals. Number sense, spot rhyming words, greater than, addition 1-10, hidden word level 2, shark quiz 2 and rescue me are just a few of the 22 games. The games are done with the same concept where Puff, the puffer fish with super-hero powers, reads the directions or question on the sunken submarine and you must answer the question. As you are answering the questions, Ogee, the shark advances in his attack. In some games you have additional helpers such as star fish to help you with the addition problems. Positive feedback and encouragement are given to the user during the games. Children earn sea creatures as their reward for successfully completing the games.

LetterSchool

LetterSchool is a universal app designed for teaching young children the proper handwriting technique in a fun, non-traditional way.
Even though LetterSchool was intended for 4-6 year-olds, it could also be used to re-enforce handwriting technique for older kids.

Teachers can set up multiple users as well. Settings can be set for up to three different users. Options such as handwriting technique and letters or numbers (uppercase, lowercase, numbers 1-10) can be set for each of the users. There are two levels for each set. As the child is working through the letters and numbers they do not need to be done in consecutive order. This offers schools, or parents, the flexibility to work on the “letter of the week”, if desired. LetterSchool uses a multiple step learning approach. The letter, or number, is first introduced, then the child taps on the dots and watches how the letter is to be written. The child is then given the opportunity to trace the letter and then write it free-form (with guidance). If the child experiences a few unsuccessful attempts at the free-form, instructional arrows appear to guide the child. Each of these steps can be repeated as many times as needed. All feedback sounds and graphics are provided in a positive manner.

Sight Words Hangman

This twist on classic hangman gives children a chance to commit 250 of the most common words in the English language to memory.
These common words, otherwise known as sight words because children must learn to recognize them by sight, are integral to developing successful literacy skills. Fun graphics and a peppy soundtrack help keep the learning process interesting. The game begins when one of 27 word lists is selected. The words on the list are randomized in a game of hangman with ten rounds. The app announces the word and asks your child to identify the correct word from a list of four. If they tap the wrong word they’ll hear the correct word aloud again, and the poor hanging fellow begins to appear. Children are allowed to make five mistakes, if they make a sixth mistake the round is over.



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